Henry Ford is notably recognized for his influence in American industry and society, but he also gained an odd distinction as the only American to be positively referenced in Adolf Hitler's memoir, Mein Kampf. This association highlights the complicated legacy and controversial views Ford held, particularly regarding anti-Semitic beliefs.

In Bill Bryson's book "One Summer: America, 1927," the author explores various facets of American life during that year, including significant figures like Ford. The acknowledgment of Ford in such a context serves to remind readers of the darker elements of his persona and the historical implications of his ideologies during a transformative period in America.